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VIDEO: Jonathan returns safely to Abuja after Guinea-Bissau coup evacuation

Raymond Adebayo
Former President Goodluck Jonathan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has returned safely to Abuja after being evacuated from Guinea-Bissau following the outbreak of a military coup in the West African nation.

Jonathan arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday. Video footage shared by ARISE News showed him alighting from a Guinea-Bissau government aircraft at night, where he was received by supporters and officials.

The former president had travelled to Guinea-Bissau as head of the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission to monitor last Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections. His delegation was still carrying out its duties when the military abruptly announced it had taken control of the government.

Following reports that Jonathan was trapped, the House of Representatives, during Thursday’s plenary, urged the Federal Government to deploy all diplomatic channels to secure his safe return.

Shortly after, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed he had been successfully evacuated.

“Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau. He left with a special flight with members of his delegation, including Mohamed Chambas,” ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa told journalists.

Guinea-Bissau descended into turmoil on Wednesday after military officers declared they had taken “total control” of the country, shut its borders, and suspended electoral activities. Heavy gunfire was reported near the presidential palace as soldiers blocked key access points in the capital.

General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, announced that a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces” had assumed leadership of the country “until further notice.”

Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló later told France24, “I have been deposed.” AFP reported he was being held in a building near the military headquarters alongside the chief of staff and the interior minister.

Both Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias had claimed victory in Sunday’s polls, with provisional results expected Thursday.

The military claimed it had uncovered a destabilisation plot involving “national drug lords” and the alleged importation of weapons “to alter the constitutional order.”

On Thursday, the junta announced that it had reopened Guinea-Bissau’s borders. “All borders are now open,” said General Lansana Mansali, Inspector General of the Armed Forces.

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In a joint statement on Wednesday, Jonathan; Filipe Nyusi, former president of Mozambique and head of the African Union Election Observation Mission; and Issifu Kamara, head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, condemned the coup as a blatant attempt to derail the country’s democratic process.

They urged citizens to remain calm and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Guinea-Bissau “during this sensitive period,” stressing the need to safeguard peace, stability, and the well-being of its people.

The Federal Government of Nigeria also condemned the coup, warning that the development threatens both democracy and regional stability.

Watch video below: